Prepare For Your Visit
Bone Density/DEXA Scan Preparation:
Patients should NOT wear clothing with any metal straps, buttons, etc. Patients are NOT to have any calcium supplements within 24 hours of the exam, and are NOT to have any X-Ray Contrast studies performed 5 days prior to the Bone Density scan. Exam is approximately 30 minutes in length.
CT Scan Preparation:
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Head & Sinus
There is no prep required for a CT Scan of the Head or Sinuses. Patient should bring any previous CT films with them to the appointment. Exam is approximately 30 minutes in length.
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Neck
Patient is to have NOTHING TO EAT, 2 - 3 HOURS prior to the exam. Exam is approximately 30 minutes in length.
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Abdomen and/or Pelvis
Patient should bring any previous CT films with them. Abdomen and/or Pelvis CT Scan require oral contrast unless CT is for Renal (kidney) or ureteral stones, hematuria or flank pain. Ask the Technologist or Radiologist if these conditions are indicated. Exam is approximately 30 minutes in length.
UROGRAM (Abdomen/Pelvis with and without IV Contrast – NO ORAL contrast). Exam is approximately 1 hour in length.
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Chest
PATIENTS ARE NOT TO HAVE ANYTHING TO EAT 3 HOURS PRIOR TO THE EXAM BUT SHOULD DRINK PLENTY OF WATER.
Patient should bring most recent x-ray films with them to the appointment. Exam is approximately 30 minutes in length.
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Spine
There is no prep required for this exam. Patient should bring any previous spinal x-rays with them to the appointment. Exam is approximately 30 minutes in length.
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Extremity
There is no prep required for this exam. Patient should bring any previous x-ray of extremity with them to the appointment. Exam is approximately 30 minutes in length.
For Extremity exams patient are recommended to wear stretchy clothing without metal snaps, buckles or zippers.
Patients MUST continue to drink water to maintain hydration, even if the protocol is to have nothing to eat or drink after midnight. This is very important.
Digital Mammography Preparation:
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Screening Mammograms
Patients are NOT to use lotion, powder, perfume or deodorant on the chest and underarm area prior to the screening mammogram on the day of the exam. Screening mammograms last approximately 20 minutes in length.
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Diagnostic Mammograms
Ask the patient if a Breast Ultrasound has been ordered in addition to the Mammogram. Patients are NOT to use lotion, powder, perfume or deodorant on the chest and underarm area prior to the screening mammogram on the day of the exam.
Patients who have had previous exams outside of the Diagnostic Radiology offices are asked to bring the previous mammogram films with them or request the center where the previous study was done to send the study to us. The mammogram can be done before we receive the old films.
If a breast ultrasound has been ordered as well, please notify the scheduling coordinator when making your appointment. Comprehensive mammograms last approximately 20 – 30 minutes in length.
Digital X-Ray Preparation:
- No preparation is required for Digital X-Ray exams, unless otherwise indicated.
Ultrasound Preparation:
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Breast Ultrasound
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Venous Doppler
There is no prep required for this exam. If both legs are to be examined, only one appointment is necessary. This exam in considered to be an emergency exam, if it is to rule out Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT). It can be scheduled at any time of day. Exam is approximately 45 minutes in length
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Carotid Doppler
There is no prep required for this exam. Exam is approximately 45 minutes in length.
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Arterial Doppler – (Legs Only)
There is no prep required for this exam. Exam is approximately 1 ½ hours in length.
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Testicular or Scrotal Ultrasound
There is no prep required for this exam. Exam is approximately 45 minutes in length.
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Thyroid Ultrasound
There is no prep required for this exam. Exam is approximately 15 - 30 minutes in length.
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Knee Ultrasound
There is no prep required for this exam. Exam is approximately 45 minutes in length.
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Abdominal Ultrasound
PATIENTS ARE NOT TO HAVE ANYTHING TO EAT OR DRINK AFTER MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE THE EXAM. This study includes the examination of the aorta, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, liver and kidney. Exam is approximately 45 minutes in length.
There is no prep required for this exam. If the patient has had a mammogram prior to needing an ultrasound, please bring the study or report from the study with you to your exam. (Breast Ultrasound exams last typically 15 minutes for one breast and 30 minutes for both breasts.)
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Pelvic Ultrasound
(Includes the bladder for males only unless specified by the ordering physician.)
Prior to the instructions below the patient is encouraged to empty their bladder for comfort.
After emptying the bladder follow the instructions below as they apply to you:
Females under 50 years of age: Please drink 32 oz. of water 2 hours prior to the exam. Patient must finish drinking the water within the first ½ hour. Do NOT empty the bladder.
Females over 50 years of age: Please drink 24 oz. of water 2 hours prior to the exam. Patient must finish drinking the water within the first ½ hour. Do NOT empty the bladder.
Males: Please drink 24 oz. of water 2 hours prior to the exam. Patient must finish drinking the water within the first ½ hour. Do NOT empty the bladder. *** We do not perform Prostate Trans-rectal Ultrasound Exams.*** Abdomen and Pelvis Ultrasound – Can be performed in the same appointment.
PATIENTS ARE NOT TO HAVE ANYTHING TO EAT OR DRINK AFTER MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE THE EXAM.
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Abdomen & Pelvic Ultrasound
Females under 50 years of age: Please drink 32 oz. of water 2 hours prior to the exam. Patient must finish drinking the water within the first ½ hour. Do NOT empty the bladder.Females over 50 years of age: Please drink 24 oz. of water 2 hours prior to the exam. Patient must finish drinking the water within the first ½ hour. Do NOT empty the bladder.
Males: Please drink 24 oz. of water 2 hours prior to the exam. Patient must finish drinking the water within the first ½ hour. Do NOT empty the bladder.
Exam is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes in length.
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Renal (Kidneys) and Bladder Ultrasound
PATIENTS ARE NOT TO HAVE ANYTHING TO EAT OR DRINK AFTER MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE THE EXAM.
The patient needs to drink 2 glasses (16 ounces) of water, 2 hours before the exam and finish drinking the water within the first 30 minutes. The patient is NOT to empty their bladder prior to the exam.
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Renal Arterial Doppler
PATIENTS ARE NOT TO HAVE ANYTHING TO EAT OR DRINK AFTER MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE THE EXAM.
The patient should have an empty bladder for this exam. Exam is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes in length.
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TV Ultrasound Only
There is no prep required for this exam. Exam is approximately 45 minutes in length.
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OB Ultrasound – (Pregnant Patients)
Patient's 10 weeks and under, or over 36 weeks, there is no prep necessary.
Patients – 32 Weeks are to drink 24 oz. of water prior to the exam. Patients are NOT to empty their bladder 1 hour prior to the exam.
Patients – 34 Weeks do NOT have to drink water prior to the exam, but are NOT to empty their bladder 1 hour prior to the exam.
All other patients: Please drink 32 oz. of water 2 hours prior to the exam. Patient must be finished drinking the water within the first 30 minutes. Do NOT empty the bladder prior to the exam.
Exam is approximately 45 minutes in length.
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Renal Prep for Infant and Children under the age of 10
INFANT PATIENTS ARE NOT TO HAVE ANYTHING TO EAT OR DRINK AFTER MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE THE EXAM.
Infant patients may have milk or formula ONLY on the way to the exam.
Children between the ages of 2 and 10 years of age should drink 8 ounces of water on the way to the exam. Toilet trained children should NOT empty their bladder.